The victim suffered serious facial injuries in the assault, which took place around 2.15am on Sunday morning in the Glenmachan Street area of south Belfast.

It is believed that the man was taken to the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald where he received treatment for his wounds.

Shortly after the attack, police received a report of a man armed with a machete in the Sandy Row district of the city prowling close to where late-night revellers were spilling onto the streets close to Shaftesbury Square's popular bars and clubs.

Bob Stoker, a south Belfast Ulster Unionist councillor, said: "I utterly condemn any such callous attack like this, but this attacker sounds like someone who really needs medical help.

"No-one in their right mind would carry out such an awful act, never mind wander around later on with the weapon for people to see them in a busy part of the city like Shaftesbury Square."

Mr Stoker went on to highlight that the victim seems not to be local and may have been using Glenmachan Street simply as a shortcut.

He added: " The residents here are totally in the dark as to who the victim or the attacker could be.

"Glenmachan Street is a pretty desolate place, as it isn't residential, but it is often used by people as a cut-through - so the victim could be anyone, as could the attacker."

Mr Stoker was adamant that he had heard no suggestion of any possible racial or sectarian motive for the attack.

He concluded: "I would appeal to anyone with any information surrounding this incident to contact the police."

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